Horton's of Tipton

 On Saturday, Horton's of Tipton had a Spring Open House and my friend, Teresa, and I went.  I love the aqua furniture in the window display.

 She had visions of spring everywhere.
  If I come across some eggs while looking for Easter decorations,I believe I'll make some of these little nests.

 I thought these forks with corks would be a good idea to mark food...such as different types of cheeses on a platter.  You could also use them for name place 'cards' at the holiday table.

 And can't you see this set-up if you had a booth somewhere that you sold stuff in.

 And this umbrella covered in doilies! Love Love Love!  And all of the cute little faux' lettuce, and carrots, and peas...adorbs I tell ya.

  Cute gift idea...shelf sitter.

 

She has a knack for taking everyday items and making them look great in a....ooooh....what's the word.....when you have a grouping of something........not an ensemble.....Anyway, you know what I mean.  And by the way, love that red suitcase!

 THIS reminded me that I have something similar but I don't think I have enough wall space for it in my kitchen.  Boohoo!

 She had tea cups hanging in windows hanging by ribbons, as well as blue ball jars, and other such fun items.  I thought about doing that for my kitchen curtains since I can't seem to find any that I like.

 And then there was the pansies.....oooooh the pansies....and some stock and snapdragons too!

 There were things about Horton's that I never noticed before, like this moss covered wall!  There are usually vendors set up in front of it while I'm visiting.  Or it's too cold to be outside.  But Saturday was a beautiful day.

 Teresa and I split a flat of flowers....

 Don't they look gorgeous together.

 After Horton's, we happened to go by a store around the corner that had unusual items for sale, old and repurposed alike.  I didn't buy anything there, but then we went to a church that was having a few crafty things and other home party type things for sale.  I did buy a short-jacket type top  that I might wear for Easter, depending on the weather....and then....we went to Goodwill.

I had to buy this old-fashioned bag.  It looks kind of like a carpetbag.  I went to a Downton Abbey party a couple of weeks ago with my sister, and this purse would have been perfect!

 Look inside....It's divided.  I've never seen anything like it.

 And it's hard to see but I bought this huge milk glass punch bowl.  I have a collection of milk glass stuff that I've bought over the years of going to garage sales.  If I put it all together, I'd probably have quite a set!  I'll put that on my list!

I always come home motivated to decorate when I go to Horton's.  Their French Flea Market is in July.  You should make plans to go.

Don't forget to check out our kitchen if you haven't done so already.  I'm so excited about it!

Cindy Bee

Winter fun!

 I know...you probably thought I've had a change of heart about my fourth favorite season, but not to worry, I haven't!  But there are some ritual type things I do in the winter months I thought I'd share.

When I can get out, I shop more.

We have a local, huge, place that sells used and antique treasures.  It used to be an old factory....and I told my friend the other day, when we were heading up to the third floor and I had to go potty....how did they get by with a factory this size, and only have one bathroom on the FIRSTfloor?  We're thinking they had more bathrooms back in the day.  

I saw this tea tin and my first thought was to plant herbs in it.  It was missing a lid.

 This time of year, I get a hankering for green.  So I planted some chamomile in the tea tin, then put it in a gallon sized baggie to create a greenhouse effect. Crossing my fingers it grows, as it is from seeds I saved years ago.  If I see some chamomile seeds while I'm out and about, I might pick up a pack.  Yes, I've been out and about!

 Then yesterday we met up at the Goodwill for a few minutes.  I found a coffee greenhouse!  Its one of those things you buy people when you don't know what else to buy them.  They perhaps love coffee.  It would have been the perfect gift for me, since I love coffee and gardening, so I bought it!  $1.99 plus 30% off for Senior Citizen Day!  Every Wednesday is SS Day!!! 

 So I got a text from someone who apparently knows me too well.  I seriously thought she was in the store.  I texted her back and said I wasn't home and would get back with her.....She said,
"I'll bet you are at tjmaxx"
"Get out of there......"
"Needs or wants?????"
"I'm trying to talk you down....Of all the stuff in your cart"

 

 I was not at tjmaxx...but she had everything else correct.  I was kind of down, and needed some fun!  I took the light out, but everything else was a nee...want!  I told her I was upsizing!

Another winter ritual....I visit Cranford.  I LOVE Cranford.  I have also decided to visit the little seaside village that Doc Martin lives in.  Love it too!  I really want to see Larkrise to Candleford, but I cannot find a copy of it.  Bummah!  That's English speak for Bummer!

Poor little Dixie Doodle spent the night Tuesday throwing up.  Seems like there is more sickness in the winter.

 He seems better now, but we've had extra snuggle time.  Another winter pleasure.  Snuggles and hot chocolate with marshmallows.  YUM!

What do you do for INDOOR Winter Fun?

Cindy Bee

PS.  On my behalf, I met with a couple of friends today for some crochet.  One of them had on a short sleeved shirt.  The other, a sweatshirt.  Me, a t-shirt, a sweater, and a cardi sweatshirt, and I was still cold.  We were in a coffee shop.  This could possibly be why I'm not a winter girl.  I'm ALWAYS cold.

Advent Calendar, Shopping Treasures!, and Thanksgiving

DAY ONE - this is going to be so fun!

So this is what my Advent Calendar looks like underneath the large felt tree.  It's a shoe bag and 23 slots are stuffed with presents.  It's very obvious my cousin put a lot of time in this!
 See last post.

 I've decided I'm going to share the Advent Calendar with you first every day, then go on to other stuff going on.  (Peeps it's hard to post every day!)

Day number One I got the Shoe Bag! 

 But I also got a very sweet card, and a story.  I choked up a bit when I opened it this morning.  And my Shug and my Mom both called asking what I got!  

Thing is.....my iced tea glass sweated a bit and the story got wet and blurred some words.  She's going to print me a new page.

So that's day one of Advent.

YESTERDAY

 After I took my nieces home, which I will blog about later....I decided to treat myself to a bit of shopping.  Some alone time! 

I went to TJ Maxx, Starbucks, and Goodwill.  

And I saw this at Goodwill.  This probably means nothing to most people, but this is a JC Penneys globe.  And my Sister and I would get one every year after Thanksgiving on Black Friday.  We collected them.  And last year when I went to get mine out, they were busted.  You see, it gets freezing cold in the rest of our house, where everything is stored.  I never thought about my globages breaking!  I was so upset about it last year, that I closed the storage box, and I haven't looked in it all year.   I'll be going through it this week.  But I have already decided I will be creative with the busted ones, and work on replacing them with "new" ones.  It will take years of garage sales and Goodwill shopping I'm sure!

I also got this at the Goodwill.  I have one already but it's plain.  I like this one better.  I have no idea it's original use, but I keep coffee filters in it.  I like that it has a lid. 

And cha-ching!  I got a bag of these trees for 2.99!

  

Yesterday, Sunday, was a glorious 60 degree day and my poor little Dixie Doodle got stung by a yellow jacket.  Seriously....my life.  He's doing much better today, with lots of spoiling and snuggling.

THANKSGIVING

This is the second time in two months that our entire family, and then some, has been able to get together.

I got my Sister this bag because well....it's just funny and

 Dad was a bit concerned about her, because he saw some special on tv about soccer mom's drinking too much wine.....something like that. (Nice photo bomb Taylor)

 We told him not to worry!  Look who's drinking here!

 Now it seems to have become tradition that we have duck for appetizer and Trent does a wonderful job of grilling it. 

But this was hilarious!  I guess he wanted to prove how fresh the duck actually was!  I think it was Adrienne that bit down on this "shot" (I called it a bullet but apparently it's called shot) I'm glad she didn't break a tooth!

  The next few photos are just of us all mingling, playing on phones, waiting for dinner.

 (Vinh, Teng, Chee, Dave)

 Ty is showing off his two new teeth!  This would be our parent's Great Grandson.  My brother's grandchild.

 (Joey, Duke, Dad, Mom, Lorri)

 (Vinh, Adrienne, Dave)

 (Taylor, Sarah, Joey,Ty on floor)

 (Molly)

 (Vinh, Teng)

 (Trent, Lorri, Theresa)

 Ok the turkey is ready, friends and family are gathered to say grace,

(Mom, Chee, Stacey)

and someone's cell phone is ringing!  It's our brothers!  WHAT?  He never has his cell phone, and when he does, it's never on!!!!  Everyone started laughing.

And this would be a good place to end this post, since it's becoming so long....

Cindy Bee